Refuse collector

ABSTRACT

A refuse collector for disposition upon the front end of vehicles comprising an upwardly opening collection basket, means for elevating said basket and rocking same for discharge of the contents thereof into a hopper located in the upper portion of said vehicle and means for returning the basket downwardly into operative position after discharge. Arms swingable through lateral arcs are provided adjacent each side of the basket for engaging prepositioned refuse or trash for directing same into said basket.

United States Patent [191 [111 3,822,802 Evans, Jr. [45] July 9, 1974 [5 REFUSE COLLECTOR Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan 76 I E nvemor 23%;: g g Attorney, Agent, or Flrm-Ralph W. Kallsh [22] Filed: May 5, 1972 v [57] ABSTRACT [2]] App]. No.: 250,591

. A refuse collector for disposition upon the front end I of vehicles comprising an upwardly opening collection [52] US. (,l 2l4/5l8, 2l4/4l, 214/75 R basket means f elevating Said basket and rocking l ame for discharge of the contents thereof into a hop- Fleld of Search, r 42, R, per located in the upper'portion of aid vehicle and 25 1 means for retumin'g the basket downwardly into operative position afterdischarge. Arms swingable through [56] References C'ted lateral arcs are-provided adjacent each side of the bas- UNITED STATES PATENTS ket for engaging prepositioned refuse or trash for di- 2,652,163 9/1953 Stickney 214/302 x rectmg Same m 8814 basket- Brady et al 214/42 R 10 Claims, 10 rawing Figures Heffington 2 l 4/5 1 8 mammal m SHEEI 2 0F 5 FIG. 3

FIG. 4

REFUSE COLLECTOR BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY'OF THE INVENTION The problem of disposing of refuse, trash, garbage or the like has been, and continues to be, one of considerable moment for all populated areas. With the discontinuance of the use of garbage pits, and the absence of alleys in all currently developed sites, the recognized procedure heretofore has been the utilization of vehicles having a multi-man crew periodically collect such refuse as the home owners have previously placed adjacent the street or roadway.

' The vehicle personnel must bodily transfer all such refuse to the vehicle by hand, requiring a considerable amount of lifting so as to feed the refuse into a hopper portion normally located at a reasonably elevated place on the vehicle.

Manifestly, the vehicle must come to a halt to allow the personnel to pick up the refuse. Accordingly, refuse collection is quite costly in terms of labor, as well as from an overall effectiveness since the starting and stopping of the vehicle at each point necessarily limits the coverage of any particular vehicle during a given timeinterval so that service to the community is inadvertently limited.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a refuse collection system which obviates the need for vehicle personnel other than the driver in order that the collection of the refuse and delivery of the same to the vehicle hopper section may be automatically effected.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system of the character stated which incorporates a prepositioning of the refuse for facile acceptance.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system of the character stated which is markedly economical in operation, and which permits of accelerated servicing with relatively enhanced areas being covered in shorter periods of time than presently possible. It is another object of the present invention to provide a refuse collector which may be readily installed upon existing vehicles without necessitating extensive and costly modification thereof.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a refuse collector which incoporates novel directing means for engaging refuse and impelling same reliably toward a collecting receptacle.

- It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a refuse collector for mountable disposition upon'a vehicle and which is easily operated by the vehicle driver without derogating from his driving obligations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a refuse. collector which is adapted for swingable movement to permit facile access to adjacent portions of the .vehicle for inspection and repair.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a refuse collector of the character stated which is ecomomically manufactured and installed upon a vehicle; which is reliable and durable in usage; and the use of which permits of substantial economies in operation.

It is another object ofv the. present invention to provide a method for refuse collection which comprehends the prepositioning of refuse, the directing of same into a collection unit, and the discharging of the contents from said collection unit into the hopper of a loading chamber.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a refuse collector constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, illustrating the same as mounted in operative position upon the front end of a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the collector illustrating the relationship of the same to refuse to be collected.

' FIG. 3 is a horizontal view, in partial section, taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical view taken'on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a vertical view taken on the line 55 of FIG. 1.

.FIG. 6 is a side elevational view illustrating the collector in the course of its movement preparatory to discharge.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating the collector in discharging disposition.

FIG. 8 is a vertical view taken on the line 88'of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a horizontal view, in partial section, taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, in partial section, illustrating the movement of the collector and the associated components into forwardly rocked position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention, A generally designates a truck or refuse collection vehicle having a main frame, as indicated at 1, upon which is carried a body including a cab section 2 and a chamber-forming loading section (not shown), the interior of which communicates with a receptacle or hopper section 3, the forward end of which is normally disposed above cab section 2. The said loading section is of conventional construction for receiving refuse and may have located therein any suitable means for compacting the refuse, as of the type, for example, shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,255. Hopper section 3 is suitably, in the customary manner, rigid with chamber section 2 and in effect comprises a normally downwardly and rearwardly directed slide surface 4 for gravity impelled movement therealong of received refuse. The sides of hopper section 3 may be comprised of frame elements for supporting wire mesh panels, as at 5. The said loading section, together withthe attached hopper section 3, is adapted for rockable movement about a horizontal axis, extending transversely of vehicle A, for effecting removal of compacted refuse through gravity.

Mounted at the forward end of vehicle A is a refuse collector C which is designed for automatically receiving refuse and then delivering same to hopper section 3. Collector C comprehends a support structure, generally designated 6, comprising a pair of posts 7,7 aligned transversely of vehicle A and being located immediately forwardly of cab 2 and slightly outwardly of the sides thereof. In cross section said posts 7,7 are of generally channel-shape, opening toward each other, and each having an outer web 8, opposed front and rearward sections 9,9 with inturned flanges 10,10 extending toward each other from each of said sections 9,9, respectively, and in planar parallel relationship with web 8 thereby defining a guideway 11 with the mouth m being established by said flanges 10,10.

Secured to the outer face of each rearward section 9' of posts 7,7, respectively, proximate the upper ends of the latter, are brackets b having upwardly opening, relatively deep recesses c for supporting arms a of suitable rod stock extending laterally from the adjacent side portion of hopper section 3. Thus, arms a maintain hopper section 3 in desired disposition for receiving refuse in the manner to be described below, as well as to stabilize the front end extremity of hopper section 3 against accidental, potentially hazardous swinging, tilting, or the like.

Extending between said posts 7,7 at their lower ends and rigid therewith is a pipe section 12 which is received within a relatively enlarged, coaxial column or pipe 13, said pipe section 12 being rotatable therein. Column 13 is rigidly mounted, as by welding, upon a support 14 extending forwardly from the lower front end of cab section 2. Thus, for purposes to be described hereinbelow, posts 7,7 are adapted for swingable movement about the axis of pipe section 12 by virtue of the relationship of the latter to column 13. In normal usage, pipe section 12 and column 13 are restrained against relative movement by means of a pair of keys k each having a tongue I for extension through aligned openings provided in said pipe section 12 and column 13. Maintaining each key k against inadvertent displacement is a chain or cable'd which is suitably secured, as by welding, in one end portion to support structure 14. The keys k are located proximate each end of column 13 to provide a balanced securement. Support 14 includes a centrally disposed extension 15 located forwardly and slightly downwardly of column 13 and mounting a boss 16 upon which is pivotally disposed, as by a clevis 17 and pin 17 the lower end of a normally vertically disposed fluid cylinder 18 having an associated piston 19 for reciprocal movement toward and away from the upper end of said cylinder 18. Piston 19 is swingably engaged, by means of a pivot pin 20, to a short arm 21 projecting rearwardly and being fixed at its rearward end to the central portion of a cross bar 22 extending between posts 7,7 and carrying slide blocks 23,23 at each of its ends for movement within the guideways 11 of each post 7,7 respectively; each of said blocks 23,23 is provided with forwardly and rearwardly opening grooves 24,24, respectively, for extension thereinto of flanges 9,9 for stabilizing purposes. Cross bar 22 is of tubular character and being of box form in cross section to provide desired strength with maximum lightness in weight.

Each slide block 23,23 is provided with a bearing 25 for journalling therein of a short shaft 26, the inner end portion of which projects inwardly of the related block for fixedly carrying a spur gear 27 of parti-circular or segmental character. Also rigid with the inner end portion of shaft 26 is the rearward extremity of a normally horizontal leg 28 of an angle shaped support 29 having an extended, normally vertical leg 30 which legs in their lower forward end portions are welded or otherwise secured to the rearward mounting section 31 of a collector basket 32. Said basket is formed with a flat,

preferably solid, bottom wall 33, a forward wall 34 which preferably inclines upwardly and forwardly, planar parallel side walls 35,35, and a rearward wall 36, which latter is preferably downwardly and rearwardly inclined, being of plate, sheet or like material and having an upstanding, coextensive lip-like section 37 supported at its ends by bracket plates 38,38. Forward and side walls 34, 35, 35 may be comprised of frame components, as indicated generally at f, with open work, wire mesh, or the like designated 39, supported thereon. Said basket.32 is open at its upper end, as at 40. Extending upwardly and forwardly of the upper edge of front wall 34 and coextensive therewith is a guide or lip 41 which may also be formed of frame components f or open work 39, but having its ends 42,42 of sheet material for rigidifying purposes. As shown in FIG. 2, rearward lip section 37 nonnally projects above the headlights of vehicle A and, accordingly, screen-covered openings 43,43 are formed therein to permit light passage therethrough. As suggested above, rearward mounting section 31 serves to effect joinder of collector basket 32 with arms 30 in a stable manner, while also serving to rigidify basket 32. Said section 31 incorporates a flat top plate 44 extending rearwardly of wall 36 at the lower end of lip 37 and presenting a support surface for brackets 38,38. Said plate 44 is centrally cut away, as at 45, to avoid interference with cylinder 18 which projects therethrough.

With reference to FIG. 1, it will be seen that in cross section, as extending from front to back, basket 32 is of substantially rhomboid character as the forward inclination of front and rear walls 34,36 conduce to marked efficiency in operation as will be shown hereinbelow.

It is also to be seen that through angle shaped supports 29, basket 32 is suspended from slide blocks 23,23 and is hence movable therewith responsive to operation of fluid piston 19.

Extending rearwardly from each leg 30, in its lower central portion, is a tapered projection 46, the lower edge of which will abut an upwardly directed edge 47 of extension 15 when basket 32 is in lowered position for supporting same therein against inadvertent twisting or distortion under applied loads such as received refuse. As may best be seen in FIG. 1, when in lowered, receiving condition, the bottom wall 33 of basket 32 is located immediately above the vehicle support surface, such as at street level, indicated at s, and with the upper open end of said basket 32 being presented at a height convenient for refuse acceptance in a manner to be described hereinbelow.

Upon suitable manipulation of conventional fluid controls, fluid may be directed to cylinder 18 for causing piston 19 to extend upwardly for elevating basket 32 after the same has received a load of refuse. As said blocks 23,23 approach the upper limit of their travel, that is, immediately before piston 19 has reached its maximum extent, each gear 27 will be brought into meshing engagement with a rack 48 suitably mounted in the end portions of a transversely extending beam 49 made rigid with the rearward sections 9,9 of posts 7,7; said racks 48 being thus located inwardly of the adjacent posts 7,7. By such meshing engagement, gears 27 are caused to move through a counterclockwise path as viewed in FIG. 9 as piston 19 continues to the end of its stroke, at which point shafts 26 will have been rotated to cause angle shaped supports 29 to have been swung upwardly at their normally lower ends thereby effecting a swinging of basket 32 about the common axis of shafts 26 resulting in basket 32 being swung through an arc of slightly less than 180 to present its normally upper open end in a downwardly and rearwardlydirected attitude (see FIG. 7) causing the basket contents to be expelled therethrough for discharge onto slide surface 4 of hopper section 3. At the upper terminus of travel of basket 32, rearward wall 36, together with lip 37, will be substantially coplanar with said slide surface 4 to jointly form a continuum for facile travel thereacross of the discharged refuse. Thus, lip 37 serves in the capacity of a bridge.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the component elements are so designed and contrived as to cause basket 32 to be movable between lowered, substantially hori zontally disposition, and upper, substantially inverted position for cooperating with hopper section 3 for smooth and reliable transfer of refuse therebetween.

' Basket 32 is returned to lowered, receiving position by reverse action of cylinder 18, with piston 19 being caused to move downwardly with attendant reciprocal action of gears 27 and racks 48, swinging basket 32 upwardly and thence downwardly.

Fixed, as by welding, upon each post 7,7 in its lower central position, is the rearward end of a forwardly extending, axially perpendicular arm 50,50, respectively, each of which is of a general I- shape in cross section (FIG. 4-) and having at their forward ends upper and lower parallel flange projections 51,52, the same being apertured for receiving a hinge pin 53 for extension through an opening provided in the normally rearward end of the reinforcing flange 54 of a sweep arm 55; there being a spacer 56 disposed encirclingly about hinge pin 53 below its connection to the said reinforcing flange 54 for maintaining said arm against inadvertent, undesired tiltable movement. Thus, by virtue of hinge pin 53, sweep arm 55 is swingable about the established vertical swing axis with'respect to the related arm 50. Each sweep arm is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to' the related arm 50,50, but having its basket-adjacent face 56 curvate about a vertical axis, such faces 56 being thus inwardly concave and extending both above and below the related support arms 50,50 for providing a relatively enlarged operating surface. Said arm faces 56 may be constructed of a metal frame and inner screen or mesh, with said reinforcing flange 54 being welded to the rearward portions of said arm faces 56 and of sufficient dimension for retaining arms 55 in their designed configuration. A central vertical support flange 57 may also be provided. In its rearward portion, laterally outwardly of its connection to the associated horizontal arm 50,50, each reinforcing flange 54 of arms 55 is pivotally engaged, as by a pin 58 and clevis 59, to the forward end of a piston 60 of fluid cylinder 61, the rearward end of which is pivotally engaged upon a lug 62 extending laterally outwardly of the proximate support arm 50,50'in the region of its joinder to the adjacent posts 7,7.

As may best be seen in FIG. 3, sweep arms 55,55 are movable about hinge pin 53 through operation of fluid cylinder 61 through an arc wherein at its inner limit said arm faces 56 will be directed toward basket 32 and at their outer limit will have their said faces presented substantially forwardly of the respective vehicle A, although but slightly inwardly.

Thus, through conventional controls, piston 60 will be in withdrawn condition (see phantom lines FIG. 3) with the associated arm directed rearwardly, thereby poised for engaging refuse within its arc of swing for directing same into basket 32. Then cylinders 61 will be operated for effecting extension of the respective piston 60 to swing sweep arms 55 inwardly to thereby move refuse into basket 32.

With reference to FIGS. I and 2, it will be seen that sweep arms 55 are located upwardly of basket 32 so that there is no inadvertent interference therewith during operation and that the same are disposed sufficiently laterally outwardly inorder to prevent any obstruction to the travel of basket 32 upwardly and downwardly as above described.

The collector of the present invention is particularly adapted for collection of refuse which has been suitably pre-positioned by a novel standard. Referring to FIG. 2, R designates a standard comprising an upright 63, as of rod stock, or any suitable shape, whether angle or channel, and mounting a flat plate 54 upon its upper end. Upright 63 is adapted for disposition within a suitable fitting, either located within or upon the ground, and is of such extent as to present plate 64 upwardly of the sides 35,35 of basket 32 when the latter is in lowered, refuse-accepting disposition. Refuse within a container, such as the currently popular disposable plastic bags, as indicated at 65, is positioned upon plate 64 in anticipation of arrival of the collector-equipped vehicle A. Such standards R are, expectedly, located immedi ately adjacent the street so as to be within the arc of movement of arms 55. As the vehicle operator observes the positioned bag 65, he directs vehicle A toward the particular side of the street and making certain that the proximate arm 55 is in outward position. As he approaches the bag 65 he manipulates fluid controls so as to cause arm 55 to swing inwardly and by reason of bag 65 being in its path of movement the latter will be swept from plate 64 and into basket 32. The operator may then direct the vehicle to the next loaded standard R, whether it be on the same side or the opposite side of the street, and thus operate arms 55 accordingly. After basket 32 has been filled, the related fluid controls will then be energized for causing basket 32 to travel upwardly and thence downwardly for discharging its contents onto hopper section 3.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the entire collecting operation may be effected by the same individual who operates vehicle A; being, in effect a one man operation, as distinguished from the heretofore accepted multi-man procedure for refuse pickup. The present invention contemplates that the average householder will locate his refuse on the standard R for facilitating the collection operation. However, as has heretofore been the practice, the average householder does transport all such refuse to a point adjacent the roadway or street which would'be substantially the same location as standard R. Manifestly, standards R are demountable and may be stored between collections. The actual refuse gathering at the present time is a rather time-consuming, costly operation in that in addition to the driver, several workmen must accompany the vehicle for physically raising the refuse from the ground to a substantially high point for dumping into the receptacle or hopper of the related vehicle. In addition to involving costly labor, the physical hazards to such workmen are substantially increased in view of injuries resulting from raising considerable loads.

From the foregoing it will be observed that support structure 6 can be suitably rocked to permit access to cab section 2 for inspection and repair purposes, providing the necessary space within which cab section 2 may be upwardly and rearwardly swung for rendering the vehicle engine accessible. In order to accomplish such disposition of support structure 6, the vehicle operator will initially cause hopper section 3, together with the loading chamber (not shown) to be upwardly and rearwardly swung into normal dumping attitude, as indicated in phantom lines in FIG. 10, whereby arms a will be removed from brackets b. Fluid will then be directed to cylinder 18 for raising piston 19 with concomitant elevation of cross bar 22 in the manner above described. However, such upward movement will terminate prior to engagement between gears 27 and racks 48 as the elevation is only of such extent as to raise basket 32 sufficiently so that the same will not be brought into damaging contact with the support surface upon forward swinging of support frame 6. With slide blocks 23,23 disposed in such raised position, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 10, the operator will then cause a key 66 having a tongue 67 to be inserted forwardly through an opening in each rearward section 9,9 of posts 7 ,7, respectively, for locating such tongue 67 immediately beneath the related slide block 23,23 to serve as a detent, preventing inadvertent, premature downward movement of said blocks 23,23. Each key 66 is maintained against loss by means of a chain 68 which is fixed at a remote end to the proximate posts 7,7 as by welding. The operator will then remove keys k from locking relationship with respect to pipe section 12 and column 13 to free same for relative movement. Thereupon the operator will actuate the fluid controls for withdrawing fluid pressure from cylinder 18 which thereby effectively eliminates the force at the upper end of piston 19 operating against cross bar 22 so that the support structure 6 will be urged to rock forwardly about the axis of pivot pin 17 at the lower end of cylinder 18. By such movement, pipe section 12 will rotate relatively to column 13. In this forwardly canted position, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 10, support structure 6 is removed adequately to allow full approach to cab section 2 for such inspection and repair thereof, and the underlying motor as may be needed.

Support structure 6 is restored to operative, rearward upright position, by following a reverse procedure namely, to apply fluid pressure to cylinder 18 for elevating piston 19 which will cause a rearwardly rocking force to be directed upon posts 7,7 through cross bar 22 with pivoting about pin 17'. With the openings in pipe section 12 and column 13 being restored to aligned condition, tongues l of keys k will be disposed therein. Thereupon hopper section 3 may be rocked downwardly to return arms a within recesses c of bracket b. Keys 66 may then be withdrawn and fluid removed from cylinder 18 to restore basket 32 to normal downward, operative position.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

l. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse comprising a body, means defining a refuse loading chamber provided on said body, an upwardly opening refuse receiving receptacle carried on said body, means for transposing said receptacle between lowered, refusereceiving position and upper, refuse-dumping position, for acceptance of the refuse by said loading chamber, said vehicle having a cab section forwardly of said loading chamber, said receptacle being located forwardly of said cab section, normally adjacent the lower portion thereof when in refuse-receiving position. and means provided on said vehicle above said receptacle when the latter is in refuse receiving position engageable with refuse pre-positioned laterally and above said receptacle when in lowered position to direct said refuse thcrc into.

2. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said means engageable with refuse comprising at least one vertical support member provided on said vehicle, a sweep arm, means swingably mounting said sweep arm on said member for swinging movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said member for horizontal movement, said sweep arm being positionedupwardly and laterally of said receptacle when the latter is in lowered position, and means for effecting swinging of said sweep arm between outer, refuse-engaging position and inner, refuse-discharging position.

3. A vehicle as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means for controlling the swinging of said arm being fluid operated.

4. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by a relatively enlarged refuse-contacting element provided on said sweep arm in its portion remote from said support member.

5. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said means for controlling the swinging of said arm comprising a fixed mounting arm engaged to said support member in axially perpendicular relationship thereto, means pivotally engaging said sweep arm to said support member, and fluid-operated means having a piston, one end of said piston being engaged to said sweep arm proximate its engagement to said mounting support, said piston being engageable at its other end within a cylinder, and means pivotally engaging said piston-remote end of said cylinder to said support member.

6. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said refuse-contacting element having a concave surface opening toward said receptacle.

7. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said element having a rigid frame, and a mesh or foraminous body.

8. For use with a vehicle having a body, a cab section provided on said body, and an upwardly opening refuse-receiving receptacle located forwardly of said cab section, the improvement comprising: at least one vertical support provided laterally of said refusereceiving receptacle, a sweep arm mounted on said vertical support, means rendering said sweep arm swingable about a vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis of said support member, and a refuse-engaging element provided on said sweep arm for contacting refuse to strikingly direct same to said receptacle.

9. The improvement as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by fluid actuated means for controlling the swinging of said sweep arm with respect to said vertical support.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by said refuse-engaging element being relatively enlarged and having a concave face directed toward said receptacle. 

1. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse comprising a body, means defining a refuse loading chamber provided on said body, an upwardly opening refuse receiving receptacle carried on said body, means for transposing said receptacle between lowered, refuse-receiving position and upper, refuse-dumping position, for acceptance of the refuse by said loading chamber, said vehicle having a cab section forwardly of said loading chamber, said receptacle being located forwardly of said cab section, normally adjacent the lower portion thereof when in refuse-receiving position, and means provided on said vehicle above said receptacle when the latter is in refuse receiving position engageable with refuse pre-positioned laterally and above said receptacle when in lowered position to direct said refuse thereinto.
 2. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said means engageable with refuse comprising at least one vertical support member provided on said vehicle, a sweep arm, means swingably mounting said sweep arm on said member for swinging movement about an axis parallel to the axis of said member for horizontal movement, said sweep arm being positioned upwardly and laterally of said receptacle when the latter is in lowered position, and means for effecting swinging of said sweep arm between outer, refuse-engaging position and inner, refuse-discharging position.
 3. A vehicle as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by said means for controlling the swinging of said arm being fluid operated.
 4. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 2 and further characterized by a relatively enlarged refuse-contacting element provided on said sweep arm in its portion remote from said support member.
 5. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said means for controlling the swinging of said arm comprising a fixed mounting arm engaged to said support member in axially perpendicular relationship thereto, means pivotally engaging said sweep arm to said support member, and fluid-operated means having a piston, one end of said piston being engaged to said sweep arm proximate its engagement to said mounting support, said piston being engageable at its other end within a cylinder, and means pivotally engaging said piston-remote end of said cylinder to said support member.
 6. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 4 and further characterized by said refuse-contacting element having a concave surface opening toward said receptacle.
 7. A vehicle for collecting pre-positioned refuse as defined in claim 6 and further characterized by said element having a rigid frame, and a mesh or foraminous body.
 8. For use with a vehicle having a body, a cab section provided on said body, and an upwardly opening refuse-receiving receptacle located forwardly of said cab section, the improvement comprising: at least one vertical support provided laterally of said refuse-receiving receptacle, a sweep arm mounted on said vertical support, means rendering said sweep arm swingable aBout a vertical axis parallel to the vertical axis of said support member, and a refuse-engaging element provided on said sweep arm for contacting refuse to strikingly direct same to said receptacle.
 9. The improvement as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by fluid actuated means for controlling the swinging of said sweep arm with respect to said vertical support.
 10. The improvement as defined in claim 8 and further characterized by said refuse-engaging element being relatively enlarged and having a concave face directed toward said receptacle. 